Pizza Patrón

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Pizza Patrón is a United States pizza chain headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Pizza Patrón operates locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. The chain opens locations in mainly Hispanic neighborhoods, catering primarily to the Hispanic market. In addition to the franchise's 59 locations across the southwest, 40 more are currently under development. The franchise's logo features a Hispanic man's face in a fedora hat (earlier logos did not include a face). The chain's slogan is Más Pizza. Menos Dinero. ("More pizza. Less money.") in Spanish.

Pizza Patrón was founded in 1986 by Antonio Swad, of Lebanese and Italian (but not Hispanic) descent. Swad is also known for founding the line of Wingstop buffalo wing restaurants, which he sold in 2003 to focus on developing Pizza Patrón as an international brand. He currently acts as the president of Pizza Patrón; the Director of Brand Development is Andrew Gamm and the Director of Operations is Ernesto Hernandez.

In 2006 Pizza Patrón successfully introduced new products like Patrón Dippers and Fiesta Wings, and rolled-out their "Lista" (ready now) pizza program nationally. In addition, Pizza Patrón has developed a dine-in store model, the Pizza Patrón Rapidito (airports/malls) model, the "Tiendita" (portable mini-store extension) and its "Lista" drive-through concept. These progressive additions to the concept were largely responsible for the 34.55% increase in business that Pizza Patrón experienced in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006 ^[1].

In January 2007, Pizza Patrón announced its new "Pizza por Pesos" policy which enabled the chain's customers to pay for pizzas with pesos for a limited time. Though the company was not the first to implement such a policy in the United States, the move re-energized the illegal immigration controversy in the United States and caused the chain's Dallas headquarters to receive complaints and death threats.^[2] It also created publicity for the chain, garnering media attention from several outlets (including FOX News and The Colbert Report), and is expected to spark interest and revenue for the company. After the first week of the promotion, one owner reported that he took in about 15,000 pesos (close to $1,400) at his two southern California branches, accounting for roughly 20% of his profits.^[3]